The football world reacted quickly Monday night and early Tuesday to the news that Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones, considered by many to be the greatest defensive player in NFL history, died at the age of 74.
Here is a sample of the comments on Twitter:
I lost a good friend and mentor. We will miss him greatly. Irreplaceable. RIP Deacon. - Jack
— Jack Youngblood (@theblood85) June 4, 2013
God is assembling one heck of a pass rush in heaven with the likes of R.White, D. Thomas, D.Jones as well as many other greats! RIP #Deacon
— Greg Jennings (@GregJennings) June 4, 2013
When Deacon Jones came to Rams Park to address the team. The entire team was at attention to hear what he had to say.#DeaconJones
— Torry Holt (@BigGame81) June 4, 2013
RIP Deacon Jones. The SACK king. We all salute u, especially those of us who rush the passer! Thanks for paving the way. #Respect #Admire
— Jason Taylor (@JasonTaylor) June 4, 2013
#RIP Deacon Jones - talk about a BEAST...
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) June 4, 2013
Lost a Legend... But All Legends Play In Heaven. #restinparadise #DeaconJones
— Chance Warmack (@chancewarmack) June 4, 2013
Reflecting & HONORING a true warrior & legend Deacon Jones. Thank you for blazing the trail so we all could soar. Your legacy lives forever
— Steven Jackson (@sj39) June 4, 2013
My condolences 2 fam/friends of Rams great Deacon Jones! We appreciate ur contribution 2 game & person u were off the field! #restwJesus
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) June 4, 2013
RIP Deacon Jones. The original "Sack Master"
— Justin Tuck (@JustinTuck) June 4, 2013
Got a lot of respect for Deacon Jones, the sackmaster. My prayers go out to him & family.
— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) June 4, 2013
R.I.P. Deacon Jones. One of the best to ever play the game. #SackMaster
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 4, 2013
#Rip Deacon Jones you paved the way for guys like myself, played the game like it should have been played and told it like it was #NFL
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) June 4, 2013
RIP Deacon Jones. legendary player & storyteller. kicked a PAT in his last regular season game. Holder? Joe Theismann
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) June 4, 2013
Farewell, DEACON JONES, author of the "QB sack." An all-time superstar and a big help in making this sport as popular as it is.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) June 4, 2013
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Deacon Jones. He was a great man on & off the field and will be missed.
— Eric Dickerson (@EricDickerson) June 4, 2013
RIP to my friend, mentor and idol Mr. Deacon Jones. Was always there for me from the beginning and led the way for all if us DE's! #headslap
— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) June 4, 2013
I awake to the worst news in a while, David "Deacon" Jones is gone home! #SackMaster
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp) June 4, 2013
The @nfl has lost a true legend in Deacon Jones. He truly changed the culture and way the games played. #RIP pic.twitter.com/KkWROG0WZL
— Felix Jones 2 (@felixjones28) June 4, 2013
"@MikeSilver: Quick, let's name the football players who were better than deacon jones: RIP" luke knows
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) June 4, 2013
#RIP to the GREAT Deacon Jones! #pioneer
— Sidney Rice (@sidneyrice) June 4, 2013
One of the most respected players that I always admired and respected. RIP Deacon Jones.
— Andre Carter (@mr_carter93) June 4, 2013
RIP LEGEND #SALUTE RT @nfl: Deacon Jones, master of the QB sack, dies at 74: http://t.co/3N3lfLEXbv
— Brendon Ayanbadejo (@brendon310) June 4, 2013
RIP to Deacon Jones, one of the best to ever play in the NFL.
— Brandon Carr (@BCarr39) June 4, 2013
RIP Deacon Jones. First time I meet him I was nervous. But, a Pleasure spending time with the legend. Fantastic career, amazing tales!
— Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird) June 4, 2013
Life is too short appreciate every minute cherish moments and most of all don't ever waste a snap there all precious R.I.P Deacon Jones#rams
— Cortland Finnegan (@CortFinnegan) June 4, 2013
A tremendously sad day for our Rams family with the passing of Deacon Jones. Revered on & off the field, a legend who redefined the game.
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff) June 4, 2013
